There are many issues that can cause tingling in the arm and hand. Today, I would like to offer information that will keep our readers from having unnecessary carpal tunnel surgery, because that's when an accurate diagnosis matters!
If you have nerve type symptoms in your arm (i.e. burning, tingling, numbness), your answers to the following questions will help to reveal if you have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS):
Do the symptoms follow the median nerve’s pattern (the only nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel)? The symptoms will be on the palm side of the thumb and first 2.5 fingers. If your symptoms are in other places, then you do not have ONLY CTS.
Do the symptoms go above the crease of the elbow? If so, it is likely that a nerve is being compressed at another site. It could still be the Median, but it is unlikely that carpal tunnel surgery would be productive in this case. “Double Crush” is a term that describes compression of a nerve at two different places and this could be the cause of your hand symptoms. Conservative care should be sought first in this case.
Conservative care for nerve injuries must include multiple approaches. An experienced Active Release Technique® provider can precisely release the muscle, tendon or ligament from the nerve. Flossing and tensioning exercises should be prescribed to get the nerve moving again and healed.
Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery is a needed treatment option, but it should only be considered on those patients with confirmed median nerve pathology at the carpal tunnel and after failing four weeks of conservative care.
If you would like our help with your nervy tingling, please visit www.cumberlandspine.com or call 444-2234. We will get you better, faster!
Comments